4 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



pllshed, — that of seeing Druid hunt down his deer, 

 and taking my advice as to forming a future pack of 

 hounds, — he repaired to France, with a pledge from 

 me that I would return the visit and fraternise with 

 him. His hospitable invitation extended to Druid 

 and mj pony Blossom; but as to these I made no 

 promise, fearing that, in the packet or the railway, 

 and at the chateau, I might not be able to get for 

 Druid the care and accommodation he needed ; and, 

 without condition, to maintain his speed and endurance, 

 I well knew the efforts of my hound would be in 

 vain. Having fortunately considered all things, I 

 resolved not to take Druid or Blossom. Had I done 

 so, half the porters on the French lines of railways 

 would have been maimed by the former, and the 

 efforts of the noble hound while in France annulled 

 by the want of proper food. 



Thus, then, I came to the resolution (wise and 

 philosophic, as well as economical) not to take Druid 

 or Blossom, or a servant of any sort or description, 

 but to look to everything myself, and be amused 

 rather than annoyed with difficulties arising from 

 my indifferent knowledge of the French language — 

 economy and good-humour the motto on my flag. 

 These considerations, however, did not prevent me 

 from taking my two little white fox and otter terriers. 



